Jack Song
CRWT 102-28
Professor Konstantinidis
10/19/15
The Crucible Arthur Miller’s The Crucible explores the mass hysteria and delusion inspired by the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The Puritan society escaped to America to freely practice their religion; they are a religious, closely bound group. In the town, rules and morals are more religion based instead of any form of government; residents must have the Ten Commandments memorized and follow the Bible closely. In the book the town of Salem has been overwhelmed by hysteria and rumors that people were practicing witchcraft. The power of mass hysteria quickly turned people against each other; from neighbors to enemies more than thirty people were accused of practicing witchcraft. Certain citizens in Salem used the hysteria to fulfill their personal gains while others were scared of the sudden onset of hysteria that took over the town. Mass hysteria is a result of collective anxiety or fear of something; it can be used for revenge, political gains, as well as personal gains. Abigail Williams was the leader of the …show more content…
When someone is accused of witchcraft, they are forced to sell their property at a much lower rate than their actual value. Putnam wanted to capitalize on this opportunity so he falsely accused his neighbors of witchcraft, in an effort to but their property at a cheaper rate. He was almost exposed by Giles Corey, who heard Putman telling his family that he was making money by accusing people of witchcraft. When Giles tried to expose him in court, his evidence was not accepted for court because he would not tell whom he got his information from. Putman’s plan was able to work because so many people were being accused of witchcraft and Judge Danforth believed him. Putman took advantage of the hysteria and people’s fears of witchcraft to heartlessly drive out his neighbors for personal
CRWT 102-28
Professor Konstantinidis
10/19/15
The Crucible Arthur Miller’s The Crucible explores the mass hysteria and delusion inspired by the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The Puritan society escaped to America to freely practice their religion; they are a religious, closely bound group. In the town, rules and morals are more religion based instead of any form of government; residents must have the Ten Commandments memorized and follow the Bible closely. In the book the town of Salem has been overwhelmed by hysteria and rumors that people were practicing witchcraft. The power of mass hysteria quickly turned people against each other; from neighbors to enemies more than thirty people were accused of practicing witchcraft. Certain citizens in Salem used the hysteria to fulfill their personal gains while others were scared of the sudden onset of hysteria that took over the town. Mass hysteria is a result of collective anxiety or fear of something; it can be used for revenge, political gains, as well as personal gains. Abigail Williams was the leader of the …show more content…
When someone is accused of witchcraft, they are forced to sell their property at a much lower rate than their actual value. Putnam wanted to capitalize on this opportunity so he falsely accused his neighbors of witchcraft, in an effort to but their property at a cheaper rate. He was almost exposed by Giles Corey, who heard Putman telling his family that he was making money by accusing people of witchcraft. When Giles tried to expose him in court, his evidence was not accepted for court because he would not tell whom he got his information from. Putman’s plan was able to work because so many people were being accused of witchcraft and Judge Danforth believed him. Putman took advantage of the hysteria and people’s fears of witchcraft to heartlessly drive out his neighbors for personal